[Percutaneous vertebroplasty]

Although vertebroplasty was initially a treatment of vertebral haemangioma or metastases, this procedure is now frequent option to the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fractures. In this review article, we will discuss the indication, the techniques and the follow-up of the vertebroplasty. This is a risky procedure, which should be performed by experimented physicians working with high-resolution fluoroscopic equipments, by biplane fluoroscopy, to reduce the risk and irradiation to the patient. According to the available follow-up studies, there is clear evidence of a strong improvement of quality of life after vertebroplasty by rapid decreasing of back pain at least during the first six months. Other new studies will analyze the long-term follow-up after vertebroplasty.